== Processing LIDAR data from Leica ALS50 ==
This page describes the basic steps involved in processing the Raw Scan data from the Leica ALS50 II. More information can be found [wiki:Sensors/LeicaLIDAR/MashUp here]
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=== Navigation Processing ===
The first stage is to post-process the GNSS data and blend it with the IMU data to get the best position and attitude of the laser scanner for the flight. This uses the IPAS Pro and Grafnav software packages on windows.
* [wiki:Processing/IPASPro IPAS Pro guide]
* [wiki:Processing/GrafNavProcessing GrafNav guide]
=== Raw scan to point cloud ===
This stage of the processing takes the raw scanner files and georeferences them to create a point cloud of the data. This is usually in the binary LAS format but may be output as ASCII if you wish. This uses the ALSPP software.
* [wiki:Processing/ALSPP ALS Post Processor guide]
After running the ALSPP check the % of first returns column in the main window. This should be high (probably >95%). If not then it may be an indicator to problems with the data (such as a large % of cloud coverage)
=== Data QC and further processing ===
[wiki:Processing/Lidarqcprocedure Full QC procedure].
The final stages of the processing are to quality check the data and filter out noisy points. To do this we use the Terrasolid package within the Microstation CAD environment, and can be very time consuming. See [wiki:Processing/TerrascanTips tips] on using Terrascan and also [wiki:Sensors/LeicaLIDAR/MashUp#QC here] for further notes from leica.
The main steps will be:
* to re-classify noisy points (haze, low points and isolated points)
* check the horizontal overlap between neighbouring lines
* check the elevation overlap between neighbouring lines
* check the data against OS vectors if available
* if GCPs available then compare them against LIDAR
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== Calibration Files ==
The .reg files for the ALS processing can be found in the calibration directory of the ARSF repository in the lidar subdirectory. After a new calibration, write the details here and copy the new reg file to the arsf repository.
'''April 2010 day 096''' - 2010_096_calibration.reg
'''March 2010 day 060''' - 2010_060_calibration.reg
'''September 2009 day 268''' - 2009268_final.reg
'''September 2009 day 252 ''' - 2009252a_calibration.reg
'''June 2009 day 180''' - sn89_calibration_2009180a.reg
'''February 2009 day 058''' - sn89_leica_calibrated_ammended_rangecorr.reg
'''December 2008''' - SN089_Calibrated_by_Lecia-081206.reg
'''November 2008''' - 20081101_calibration.reg